Yep. One year. A full city of over twenty thousand souls has been under siege for one full year, since 20 June 2016. How about that? It must qualify for a world record of some kind and I know that this is the reason it is really in place, to pin yet another browny point on Bahrain’s incredible levels of advancement in this modern age.

So, bear witness, I am rather thankful for the siege. There are so many benefits that I would want it to continue ad infinitum and encourage other villages, towns and cities not only in my beloved Bahrain to tread this path, but everywhere else in the world too.

Here are just a few things that the #DurazSiege provides as benefits (in no particular order), please feel free to add your own in the comments, let’s show our gratitude:

No pesky visitors to drop in on you unannounced

Experience the life of an expat in your own country

Be in your PJ’s immediately you get to your home with nary a worry to consider

Test the canniness of food delivery guys to get to your home

Food delivery guys get double-tips if they get to your home; thus, solidifying their employment

The quiet, especially now that the helicopter is no longer buzzing 24/7 overhead for the last month, give or take

Actually getting friendly with the check-point Bobbies.

Knowing the check-point policemen by first name. For some, we’re getting to know and ask after their families too.

The excitement coming from the randomness of checking one’s ID.

Taking fun bets with your family in your car or home as to what style of chicane to be expected at the check points on any particular day

The fun to have with noob policemen at checkpoints (you can spot whether the guy is a noob at the point by the length of the patiently queueing cars)

Studies in patience.

The effectiveness of a car’s A/C

Vastly improved sign language skills; us residents have become experts at hand gestures that convey whole sentences between patiently queueing cars transmitted through the rear-windshield or even the rear-view mirrors (latter only to the über experts in the field)

Above also applies to eye-rolling techniques as methods of communication with one’s neighbour as to a current situation

Expertise at predicting travel times through checkpoints and chicanes.

Deep breathing techniques to quiet the mind and achieve Zen while waiting to get to your home; we can confidently teach yogis our techniques that even with a lifelong study they can’t achieve. Talk to us. We have mastered this.

Expertise at navigating the Internet on mobile phones

Expertise at saving mobile phones battery lives with ease

Becoming adept hummers and singers

Unchallenged expertise at air guitar

Killer seated dancing moves

What about you? Please contribute your special findings and / or developed skills while gaining access to the Kingdom of Duraz.

I was working in Bahrain 1990 – 1998 and have great memories and affection for the island and it’s generous warm-hearted people. As an expatriate, I was privileged in being able to spend Fridays on the private beach in Zellaq. The host was a most gracious, humble and wise leader – not like the reckless self-infatuated narcissistic Trump characters that are now roaming the world.

Unfortunately, Bahrain was also then in turmoil – Sitra was under constant siege and helicopters were constantly flying over and intimidating villagers in select areas of the country.

We can only hope and pray that there will one day be once again peace and tranquillity in Delmon.

Let’s Connect

Bahrain Blogs

Yep. One year. A full city of over twenty thousand souls has been under siege for one full year, since 20 June 2016. How about that? It must qualify for a world record of some kind and I know that this is the reason it is really in place, to pin yet another browny point on […]

In Bahrain, the citizen seems to be the unquenchable fount of money. Funds which most here are in desperate need of, are dragged out of our pockets by unremitting fines, fees and other government charges and levies. Last month, the Traffic Dept had its fun by sending us speeding fines that were more than a […]

Being of a “pure race” is a myth. A fallacy. Something that is imprinted in us; however, to perpetuate our mistaken sense of superiority. What that did – and still does – is just make us prejudiced and antagonistic toward each other. Being humble and inclusive is more important than living that fallacy. Watch this […]

Yoga was one of those things that I thought house-wives and mystics would while away their time in. The images I saw on the internet certainly supported this view. It’s no surprise that I veered away from Yoga. I’m a healthy and strong individual dedicated to an all-round gym experience, through this hard work, I […]

I’ve let myself go over the past couple of months and my weight has been creeping up. Well, I’ve been on holiday for a couple of weeks to Scotland and it was a bit stressful at work the last few months. Note that I’m not beating myself up for this. This is nothing to the […]

Not many people understand depression, including me. I found this on TED that might contribute to a better understanding. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world; in the United States, close to ten percent of adults struggle with the disease. But because it’s a mental illness, it can be a lot harder […]